Tourism in Kerala


Bordered by the lofty and mighty Western Ghats on the east and the Vembanad Lake and paddy fields of Kuttanad on the west, Kottayam is a land of unique characteristics.

Panoramic backwater stretches, lush paddy fields, highlands, hills and hillocks, extensive rubber plantations, places associated with many legends and a totally literate people have given Kottayam District the enviable title: The land of letters, legends, latex and lakes. Kottayam Town is the first town in India to have achieved 100% literacy (a remarkable feat achieved as early as in 1989).

English education in South India did actually start at the Old Seminary here at Kottayam in 1813. The first printing press in Kerala was established (CMS Press) here in 1821 by Rev.Benjamin Baily. The first college in the State (CMS College) was also started here at Kottayam in 1840. Maiden printed Malayalam-English and English-Malayalam Dictionaries were published from Kottayam in 1846 and 1847 respectively. The first and only Cooperative Society of writers, authors and publishers (SPCS), for publishing books and periodicals was set up here in 1945. Kottayam is the hometown of a vast number of books and periodicals and is the center of publishing business in the State. Kottayam is the first town in India selected by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India to be transformed as an Eco City.

The Sri K R Narayanan, the former President of India hails from Kottayam District.

Kottayam is the ideal take off point for visits to Peermade, Munnar, Thekkady, Ernakulam and the temple city, Madurai. It is also a gateway to the pilgrim centers of Sabarimala, Mannanam, Vaikom, Ettumanoor, Bharananganam, Erumeli, Manarcaud, and so on.

PLACES OF INTEREST IN AND AROUND KOTTAYAM
St. Mary’s Church
The St. Mary’s Church, known as Valiya Palli, in the town was built in 1550 A. D. It is famous for its 8th century Persian Cross with the Pahlavi inscription on it. Near to this Valia Palli is situated the Cheriya Palli (St. Mary’s Church) which was built in 1579 A. D. It houses some murals and paintings depicting Biblical and other themes.

The Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple
This ancient temple in the town is a sacred place of worshipn for the Hindus. There are some wall paintings. The annual temple festival (March/April) attracts a large number of people.

Mannanam
It is 8 km from Kottayam. It is an important Syrian Christian centre. There is St. Joseph’s Monastery, which is associated with Fr. Kuriakose, one of the saintly figures of the Syrian Catholic Church of Kerala. One can also see here one of the oldest Printing Presses in the state- the St. Joseph’s Press which printed ‘Nasrani Deepika’, one of the oldest newspapers in Kerala.

Dakshina Mookambika Temple
This temple, which is 10 km from Kottayam on the way to Changanacherry, is a famous one dedicated to Goddess Saraswathy. The Navaratri festival here attracts quite a fascinating crowd.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
It is 16 km. west of Kottayam on the Vembanad lake. The Sanctuary teems with local waterfowls and over wintering migratory birds such as the Siberian stroks. Boats are available for backwater cruises in the lake. To stay and dine: Taj Garden Retreat, Kumarakam Tourist Village, Coconut Lagoon Heritage Resort etc.

St. Mary’s Ferona Church
This church at Athirampuzha near Ettumanur is famous for its annual 8 day feast known as ‘Athirampuzha Nercha’, which attracts a large number of devotees from all over Kerala.

Lord Shiva Temple at Ettumanur
This ancient temple, which is 17 km away from Kottayam, is a famous place of worship. There are mural paintings of high order and beautiful sculpture of intricate workmanship inside the temple.

Bharananganam
It is an important Christian pilgrimage centre where the mortal remaints of Sister Alphonsa (1916-1946) was interned in a chapel next to the St. Mary’s Church. This 1000- year old church features an attractive Grotto of Virgin Mary.

Vaikkom
Vaikkom, 40 km away from Kottayam, is historically a famous town situated on the eastern bank of the expansive Vembanad lake. It was once the capital of the erstwhile kingdom of Vadakkumkur. The ancient Mahadeva Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva here has carried its name far and near. The Mahadeva Temple at Vaikkom is a sacred place of worship. According to legend, It was constructed by Parasurama, the mythological creator of Kerala. The 12 day ‘Ashtami’ festival here (November/December) is renowned for its elephant processions, religious discourses, and traditional dance and music performances.

Vaikkom is also famous for the ‘Vaikkom Sathyagraha’, which aimed at throwing the temple doors open to the Harijans. Though it started in 1924 as a movement for social reforms, it later snowballed into a major agitation, which sought to remove the bane of untouchability. It all began when some people protested against the practice of preventing people belonging to the lower castes (the ‘avarnas’) from using the roads surrounding the temple. The agitators did not belong to one particular class or community. They were from both lower castes and upper castes. One of the dramatic moments of the agitation was the ‘savarna jatha’ led by Mannath Padmanabhan. A number of upper caste Hindus rallied behind him and proceeded to Thiruvananthapuram, then the capital of the erstwhile kingdom of Travancore. They submitted a memorandum of demands to the Regent Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bai. The Vaikkom Sathyagraha and the Savarna Jatha helped to influence public opinion in favour of throwing open the doors of the temple to all. The struggle continued for nearly 20 months. Finally, the intervention of Mahatma Gandhi in 1925 brought the curtain down on the struggle. The approach roads to the temple were thrown open to all Hindus irrespective of caste. In the wake of this, similar movements for social justice were organized in different parts of Travancore. Finally the Maharaja of Travancore, His Highness Sri Chithira Thirunal Bala Rama Varma issued the historic Temple Entry Proclamation on 12 November 1936.

Koottickal, Vadakemala and Panchalimedu
Koottickal and Vadakemala are in the Western Ghats near Mundakkayam. Koottickal is a beatiful place blessed with the mountain forests and the artificial lake created by the Chek-dam on the Manimala river. Amruthamedu, a place famous for medicinal plants, is nearby. The famous pilgrim centre Erumeli is 12 km away from here.

Vagamon
Vagamon is situated at an elevation of 1100 metres above sea level. It is about 60 km from Kottayam and 30 km from Pala. The Kurishumala hill and the small church atop and the nearby Kurishumala Ashramam are immportant attractions here.The Kurishumala Ashramam is a monastery of Christian ascetics who follow the Christian faith along the Indian spiritual traditions and the Gandhian thought. Vagamon is a popular spot for trekkers also.

Elaveezhapoonchira
Formed of mountain ranges and rocky cliffs, Elaveezhapoonchira is on the eastern periphery of Kottayam district. This picnic spot is located in the midst of beautiful hillocks. It has preserved the pristine beauty of nature intact. The famous ancient mosque at Thazhathangadi near Thalikottah Palace is another attraction. Elavvezhapoonchira is a seven km trek from Kanjiramkavala, which is some 15 km from Thodupuzha or you can reach the place by getting down at Kanjar, which is 16 km away from Moolamattom and then some 7 km by jeep to Chakkikavu and from there a 2 km walk to the foot hills and then climb the hill.

Sri Sankara Ayurveda Vaidyasala
The Sri Sankara Ayurveda Vaidyasala at Perunna in Changanacherry is a famous centre for medical treatment. The service of specialist doctors are available for chronic diseases like arthritis, facial palsy, various spinal diseases and other debilitating diseases are successfully treated here. Special treatments like Pizhichil, Navarakkizhi, ilakkizhi, and Panchakarma treatments are available. The centre is so famous that even foreigners go there for medical treatment.

Sri Vallabha Temple at Thiruvalla
The Sri Sankara Ayurveda Vaidyasala at Perunna in Changanacherry is a famous centre for medical treatment. The service of specialist doctors are available for chronic diseases like arthritis, facial palsy, various spinal diseases and other debilitating diseases are successfully treated here. Special treatments like Pizhichil, Navarakkizhi, ilakkizhi, and Panchakarma treatments are available. The centre is so famous that even foreigners go there for medical treatment.

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